Pregnant women’s knowledge of obstetrical danger signs: A cross-sectional survey in Kigali, Rwanda

Abstract

Maternal mortality remains critically high in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Rwanda’s leading causes of maternal death include postpartum hemorrhage and obstructed labor. Maternal recognition of obstetrical danger signs is critical for timely access to emergency care to reduce maternal mortality.To assess maternal knowledge of obstetrical danger signs among pregnant women attending antenatal care services in Kigali, Rwanda. We conducted a cross-sectional study between September and December 2018. The outcome of interest was maternal knowledge of ODS during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the immediate postpartum period. We recruited pregnant women at five health centers, one district hospital, and one referral hospital, and we had them complete a structured questionnaire. Reporting three correct ODS was defined as having good knowledge of ODS. A total of 382 pregnant women responded to the survey. Most women (48.9%) were aged 26–35, and 50.5% had completed secondary or higher education. The knowledge of ODS was 56%, 9%, and 17% during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum, respectively. Women aged 26 to 35 had two times (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.05, 3.06) higher odds of ODS knowledge during pregnancy than women aged 16 to 25. Attending three antenatal care visits was associated with 2.6 times (OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.17, 5.66) higher odds of ODS knowledge during pregnancy than not attending any visit. Longer distances to the nearby health facility were associated with significantly lower knowledge during pregnancy, and Muslim women had substantially higher postpartum ODS knowledge than any other religion. In conclusion, women’s knowledge of ODS associated with labor and delivery and postpartum was low. Antenatal care must be encouraged and its content revised to ensure it covers potential late pregnancy complications.

Knowledge of Obstetric Danger Signs and Birth Preparedness and Complications Readiness among Mobile Pokot Nomadic Pastoralists’ Pregnant Women in Tiaty Sub-County, Baringo County-Kenya

“…Knowledge of obstetric danger signs during pregnancy and labor is the rst essential step for appropriate safe motherhood especially in remote Sub-Sahara Africa where the shortage of medical personnel is high(D. Hailu & Berhe, 2014;M. Hailu et al, 2010;Uwiringiyimana et al, 2022). The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth and determine its effect on BPCR.…”

“…Introduction 1.1. Background of the study Obstetric Danger Signs (ODS) can be de ned as warning signs that women encounter during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum period that indicate imminent or ongoing life-threatening events requiring quick intervention by skilled healthcare providers (Uwiringiyimana et al, 2022).Danger signs are not actual obstetric complications, but symptoms that can easily be identi ed by non-clinical personnel(M. Hailu et al, 2010). During pregnancy, these danger signs are vaginal bleeding, severe headache, blurred vision, convulsions, swollen hands, legs, or face, high fever, loss of consciousness, di culty breathing, severe body weakness, severe abdominal pain (false labor), and reduced fetal movement.…”

Knowledge of Obstetric Danger Signs and Birth Preparedness and Complications Readiness among Mobile Pokot Nomadic Pastoralists’ Pregnant Women in Tiaty Sub-County, Baringo County-Kenya

“…Obstetric Danger Signs (ODS) can be de ned as warning signs that women encounter during pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum period that indicate imminent or ongoing life-threatening events requiring quick intervention by skilled healthcare providers (Uwiringiyimana et al,2022). Danger signs are not the actual obstetric complications, but symptoms that can easily be identi ed by non-clinical personnel (Masey Hailu et al,2010).…”

“…of obstetric danger signs during pregnancy and labour is the rst essential step for appropriate safe motherhood especially in remote Sub-Sahara Africa where shortage of medical personnel is high(Hailu et al,2014, Mesay et al,2010, Uwiringiyimana et al,2022. The objective for this study was to assess the knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth and determine its effect on BPCR.…”